Sea of Runners Join the Fun at Super Saturday

Southsea seafront was awash with happy faces this morning as the AJ Bell Great South Run 5K and AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great South Run returned to Portsmouth for the annual celebration of running.

2025 sees 35 years of the Great South Run, with countless incredible moments and achievements since its inaugural event in 1990. Over 1000 local runners lined up to run the brisk, flat course around the esplanade in the Great South Run 5K. Oakley Knipe (City of Portsmouth AC) was the fastest male runner, taking the tape in 00:15:31, with Imogen Edwards (Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC) the fastest female in a time of 00:17:08.

5km Top 3 Females left to right: Florence East (2nd) Imogen Edwards (1st) Rhiannon Navesey (3rd)

5km Top 3 Males left to right: Archie Pearson (2nd) Oakley Knipe (1st) Malek Roostaei (3rd)

It was the turn of younger runners to take centre stage with over 1500 children finding their super powers as host of familiar faces sent young runners on their way including BBC’s Gladiators, Viper and Electro, and British Elite runners Verity Ockenden, Jake Smith and Chris Thompson, and Lord Mayor, Councillor Gerald Vernnon-Jackson.

Young running talent from across the South shone through with Zachary Armitage putting in outstanding performance with the fastest Male Junior time of 00:08:27, and Freya Klepacz from City of Portsmouth AC recording 00:08:26 as the fastest Female junior runner.

The AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great South Run also sees the annual presentation of the Christine Weeks Cup which this year was awarded to Penny Sheppard and fastest junior boys, Terry Tatt and Zed Heath. Christine was a Great South Run stalwart from the very beginning in 1990 and instrumental to bringing the run to region. A huge supporter of young runners, Christine has been fondly remembered since her death with this cup awarded to the fastest junior boy and girl from a PO1 to PO6 postcode.

Paul Foster, Chief Executive, The Great Run Company, said; “The AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great South Run shows that running can be enjoyed from a young age. The performances of the young athletes really highlighted that the South is home to some of the rising stars in athletics and future winners of the Great South Run. It will be exciting to following their journeys in years to come.”

The AJ Bell Great South 5K and Great South Junior & Mini Run will be back next year on Saturday 17 October 2025 and entries are now open. Super earlybird prices available for a short time only. Find out more here.